MEETING MINUTES

San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Advisory Committee Tuesday, February 8th, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.

Online Web Forum // Click here to join the meeting // Microsoft Teams

Click here for a video tutorial on “How to Join a Teams meeting”

The Bicycle Advisory Committee promotes the expanded use of bicycle transportation by working together with County staff to develop the County Bikeways Plan, reviewing the Plan and present a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors for its adoption; by reviewing the policies and programs related to bicycling in the Circulation Element of the County General Plan and Local Coastal Plan and making recommendations on the goals and their implementation to the Board of Supervisors; and by reviewing the policies and programs related to bicycling in the Bikeways Element of the Regional Transportation Plan and providing input to the Board of Supervisors on the goals and their implementation.

1. CALL TO ORDER / THANK YOU

2. ROLL CALL

3. INTRODUCTIONS

5 / 7 members present – quorum achieved

4. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 9^th, 2021 MEETING MINUTES

Motion to approve minutes - Darrin H. approved, Josh O. second, all in favor.

BAC Secretary - Committee members and members of the public wishing to provide comments or share their concerns prior to a BAC meeting may do so by visiting the County website at https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/departments/public-works/committees-programs/Bicycle-Advisory-Committee.aspx

5. PUBLIC COMMENT (Limit to 4 minutes; any Q&A from BAC)

Members of the audience wishing to address the Committee on pertinent matters other than scheduled agenda items may do so when recognized by the Chair. Upon recognition by the Chair, please state your name and address. Comments are limited to three minutes. The Committee cannot discuss any matter unless it is listed on the agenda, in accordance with the Brown Act. The Committee may agendize these matters for future consideration.

Josh O. – Complemented PW for bike lane improvements - specifically red curbing fronting Sweet Springs Natural Reserve and new red curb along LOVR in Los Osos to reduce illegal parking.

Jim D. – Curious to know about how Caltrans complete streets will mesh with County projects moving forward.

Caltrans Complete streets liaisons Melissa Streder (formerly Terry Persons) currently overseeing planning activities in SLO County. Caltrans Complete Streets Plan is nearing public reveal and informational link provided below: https://www.catplan.org/district-5

Deborah Howe – Seeking to improve active transportation in Los Osos Community

• BAC Secretary – The 2015/16 Bikeway’s Plan is the current adopted and Board approved version. Interim revisions haven’t been finalized nor have they been board approved. The 2015/16 Bikeways plan shall remain effective until a new version is formally approved and adopted by the Board.
• Skip – The BAC committee reworked the ranking criteria and reworked the top 40 on Bikeways list. Trying to move items forward to the board for approval. There is currently three openings on the BAC committee.
• BAC Secretary – For additional information, recommend looking at the current Los Osos circulation study and the upcoming Community Plan update once finalized.

Due to impacts felt by the COVID19 pandemic, all future BAC meetings will be held virtually until further notice. If you are unable to attend the virtual meeting, please visit the County BAC website to submit your public comments in advance directly to the BAC secretary: https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Public-Works/Committees-Programs/Bicycle-Advisory-Committee.aspx

6. COMMITTEE / STAFF REPORTS (10 minutes max; agendize lengthier items)

1. County Public Works – Jan D.
   • Cambria Overlay Project - Overlay work continues throughout the town as weather permits.
   • Cayucos Surface Treatment Project & Various County Roads - This project includes the downtown Cayucos area along with Cayucos Creek, Old Creek, Toro Creek, Little Morro Creek, San Bernardo Creek, Interlake, Creston, and South El Pomar roads. In addition, centerline rumble strips are being reinstalled on South Bay Blvd and Union Road.
   • Templeton to Atascadero Trail Connector - No significant development since last BAC meeting (November 2021.) Project is still in the 60% design phase and still working on ROW issues between the billboard property and UPRR.

2. CHP – Not present

3. Caltrans – Melissa S.

Melissa is the new Caltrans Complete streets liaisons (Terry’s replacement). Working together with Bailey B. (Regional Planner) and overseeing planning activities in SLO County. Caltrans Complete Streets Plan is nearing public reveal. For more information, visit: https://www.catplan.org/district-5

• Press releases was sent out this week
• Data is being collected through various sources for location-based needs for bicyclists/pedestrian on State highways.

Skip – Informed Melissa that the United States Bicycle Route Network (Bicentennial Route) needs focus and is a big-ticket item to think about.

4. Air Pollution Control District – Not Present

5. County Parks – Shaun C.
   • Bob Jones Trail Connector – 60% construction documents (Wallace Group) ETA end of March 2022. Working on final survey and geotechnical work on proposed route. Hope to have final parcel done by April 2022. ROW process, developing legal descriptions, offers to property owners along the route, acquiring necessary easements, and exhibits process to commence thereafter.
   • Morro Bay to Cayucos Connector Pathway – 60% construction documents (Coastal Commissions Staff for Review) Aiming for consolidated permit approval to streamline multi-agency review. Applied for PROP 68 Regional Park Program grant ($3 million) and Rural Recreation Tourism Program ($3 million). Award announcement ETA Spring 2023. Currently applying for full construction for Morro Bay to Cayucos with the next round of active transportation program funds, summer 2022.

6. County Planning & Building – Steve M.
   • Project Referral: DRC2020-00058 Loriana Ranch - Regarding roadway safety

No additional roadway improvements are warranted at this time per the following:

• Although Ormonde is currently viewed as a convenient connector between Price Canyon and Old Oak Park with the bike community, it is not currently listed/ranked in the County Bikeways Plan for bikeway improvements.

• Ormonde Rd has significantly low ADT volumes east of Price Canyon Rd (383 ADT measured in 2021 of which 197 ADT were heading eastbound).
• There is currently sufficient advisory signage approaching the railroad underpass on Ormonde Rd in both the eastbound and westbound directions, per MUTCD guidelines.
• Improvements to the Railroad underpass are outside of County Jurisdiction and within UPRR ROW.
• Price Canyon Road at Ormonde Road does not meet the minimum volume thresholds per the Highway Design Manual (HDM) for Left-turn lane consideration.

Specific to “Share the Road” and “Pass Bicycle 3FT Min” signage:

• These types of signs are typically installed along designated bike routes where engineering judgement deems them necessary. (They are not necessarily legally required per CA MUTCD guidelines)

Skip – Would like to see “Share the road” signs near the venue area, followed by some deliberation on whether such signage would be adhered to.

Steve – Suggested signage on the property at or near the exit to County Rd as part of the project’s conditions for approval. Sign that reads “Watch for Cyclists” was suggested.

Jim D. - Believes “Share the Road” Means nothing to the public and suggests rewording.

Steve – For suggested wording, recommend forwarding suggestions to Planning Dept hearing officer.

7. SLOCOG – John D.

Active Transportation Cycle 6 – Call for Projects March 2022 and due June 15^th, 2022. Current Cycle 5 may receive funding augmentation from the Governor’s office. SLOCOG does not believe regional projects submitted will benefit from said augmentation. SLOCOG will host a $7 million call for community betterments project in April.

• $3 million – transportation efficiency and new housing developments (Active Transportation & complete streets)
• Earth Day April 22^nd – Active Transportation storytelling workshop with a focus on regional tourism and bicycle active transportation tourism. (US Bike Route 95)

Pismo Congestion Relief Project along US 101 – Active Transportation is big part of grant. A Survey is being conducted along residents on Shell Beach Road, Ontario Ridge, Pismo Preserve, etc. Residents are requested to take part in the survey to assist with bolstering the grant package. Link provided below: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CWV97WL

Let [email protected] know any questions or follow ups re the Survey. contact myself [email protected] for any questions about the upcoming call for projects, etc.

Jim DeCecco – Inquired about schools in the area and the mechanics behind distributing the public survey to residents. Also asked about potential bike trail along Shell Beach Road, hoping it stays on freeway side to connect seamlessly through Shell Beach proper.

Skip Amerine - Inquired about Buckley Rd and Avila Ranch project. County portion of Buckley Rd would be good candidate for grant funding. Project will connect Avila Ranch with Higuera Street, Highway 227, and the nearby Elementary school. Grant funding would be good towards providing bicyclist and pedestrian improvements through the area.

John - Encouraged County to submit application to SLOCOG.

BAC Secretary – Duly noted.

Skip – Reiterated the project includes multiple agencies. (City of SLO, County, Caltrans)

Darren – FAA is also involved due to airport area.

8. BAC Chairperson - Skip

Thanked Rick Ellison for his support letter regarding BAC program moving towards ATP. Reiterated the effort is more than changing the name but changing the program entirely. Acknowledged that this effort is not currently a top priority due to County budget constraints but prefers to focus on updating the County Bikeways Plan.